Multimeric hybrid gene encoding a chimeric protein which confers protection against parainfluenza virus and respiratory synctial virus

ABSTRACT

Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the engineering and expression of multimeric hybrid genes containing sequences from the gene coding for immunogenic proteins or protein fragments of numerous pathogens.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The advantage of the approach taken by the present invention is to produce single immunogens containing protective antigens from a range of pathogens. Such chimeras greatly simplify the development of combination vaccines, in particular, with the view ultimately to produce single dose multivalent vaccines. Multivalent vaccines are currently made by separately producing pathogens and/or their pertinent antigens and combining them in various formulations. This is a labour intensive, costly and complex manufacturing procedure. In contrast, the availability of a single immunogen capable of protecting against a range of diseases would solve many of the problems of multivalent vaccine production. Several chimeric immunogens of the type provided herein may be combined to decrease the number of individual antigens required in a multivalent vaccine.

Human Parainfluenza virus types 1,2,3 and Respiratory syncytial virus types A and B are the major viral pathogens responsible for causing severe respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. It is estimated that, in the United States alone, approximately 1.6 million infants under one year of age will have a clinically significant RSV infection each year and an additional 1.4 million infants will be infected with PIV-3. Approximately 4000 infants less than one year of age in the United States die each year from complications arising from severe respiratory tract disease caused by infection with RSV and PIV-3. The WHO and NIALD vaccine advisory committees ranked RSV number two behind HIV for vaccine development while the preparation of an efficacious PIV-3 vaccine is ranked in the top ten vaccines considered a priority for vaccine development.

Safe and effective vaccines for protecting infants against these viral infections are not available and are urgently required. Clinical trials have shown that formaldehyde-inactivated and live-attenuated viral vaccines failed to adequately protect vaccinees against these infections. In fact, infants who received the formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine developed more serious lower respiratory tract disease during subsequent natural RSV infection than did the control group. [Am. J. Epidemiology 89, 1969, p. 405-421; J. Inf. Dis. 145, 1982, p. 311-319]. Furthermore, RSV glycoproteins purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using elution at acid pH induced immunopotentiation in cotton rats. [Vaccine, 10(7), 1992, p. 475-484]. The development of efficacious PIV-3 and RSV vaccines which do not cause exacerbated pulmonary disease in vaccinees following injection with wild-type virus would have significant therapeutic implications. It is anticipated that the development of a single recombinant immunogen capable of simultaneously protecting infants against diseases caused by infection with both Parainfluenza and Respiratory syncytial viruses could significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by these viral infections.

It has been reported that a protective response against PIV-3 and RSV is contingent on the induction of neutralizing antibodies against the major viral surface glycoproteins. For PIV, these protective immunogens are the HN protein which has a molecular weight of 72 kDa and possesses both hemagglutination and neuraminidase activities and the fusion (F) protein, which has a molecular weight of 65 kDa and which is responsible for both fusion of the virus to the host cell membrane and cell-to-cell spread of the virus. For RSV, the two major immunogenic proteins are the 80 to 90 kDa G glycoprotein and the 70 kDa fusion (F) protein. The G and F proteins are thought to be functionally analogous to the PIV HN and F proteins, respectively. The PIV and RSV F glycoproteins are synthesized as inactive precursors (FO) which are proteolytically cleaved into N-terminal F2 and C-terminal F1 fragments which remain linked by disulphide bonds.

Recombinant surface glycoproteins from PIV and RSV have been individually expressed in insect cells using the baculovirus system [Ray et al., (1989), Virus Research, 12:169-180; Coelingh et al., (1987), Virology, 160:465-472; Wathen et al., (1989), J. of Inf. Dis. 159:253-263] as well as in mammalian cells infected with recombinant poxviruses [Spriggs, et al., (1987), J. Virol. 61:3416-3423; Stott et al., (1987), J. Virol. 61:3855-3861]. Recombinant antigens produced in these systems were found to protect immunized cotton rats against live virus challenge. More recently, hybrid RSV F-G [Wathan et al., (1989), J. Gen Virol. 70:2625-2635; Wathen, published International Patent application WO 89/05823] and PIV-3 F-HN [Wathen, published International Patent Application WO 89/10405], recombinant antigens have been engineered and produced in mammalian and insect cells. The RSV F-G hybrid antigen was shown to be protective in cotton rats [Wathan et al., (1989), J. Gen. Virol. 70:2637-2644] although it elicited a poor anti-G antibody response [Connors et al., (1992), Vaccine 10:475-484]. The protective ability of the PIV-3 F-HN protein was not reported in the published patent application. These antigens were engineered with the aim to protect against only the homologous virus, that is either RSV or PIV-3. However, it would be advantageous and economical to engineer and produce a single recombinant immunogen containing at least one protective antigen from each virus in order simultaneously to protect infants and young children against both PIV and RSV infections. The chimeric proteins provided herein for such purpose also may be administered to pregnant women or women of child bearing age to stimulate maternal antibodies to both PIV and RSV. In addition, the vaccine also may be administered to other susceptible individuals, such as the elderly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In its broadest aspect, the present invention provides a multimeric hybrid gene, comprising a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic region of a protein from a second pathogen and to a chimeric protein encoded by such multimeric hybrid gene. Such chimeric protein comprises an immunogenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to an immunogenic region of a protein from a second pathogen.

The first and second pathogens are selected from bacterial and viral pathogens and, in one embodiment, may both be viral pathogens. Preferably, the first and second pathogens are selected from those causing different respiratory tract diseases, which may be upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the first pathogen is parainfluenza virus and the second pathogen is respiratory syncytial virus. The PIV protein particularly is selected from PIV-3 F and HN proteins and the RSV protein particularly is selected from RSV G and F proteins. Another aspect of the invention provides cells containing the multimeric hybrid gene for expression of a chimeric protein encoded by the gene. Such cells may be bacterial cells, mammalian cells, insect cells, yeast cells or fungal cells. Further, the present invention provides a live vector for antigen delivery containing the multimeric hybrid gene, which may be a viral vector or a bacterial vector, and a physiologically-acceptable carrier therefor. Such live vector may form the active component of a vaccine against diseases caused by multiple pathogenic infections. Such vaccine may be formulated to be administered in an injectable form, intranasally or orally.

In an additional aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a chimeric protein, which comprises isolating a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic region of a protein from a first pathogen; isolating a gene sequence coding for an immunogenic region of a protein from a second pathogen; linking the gene sequences to form a multimeric hybrid gene; and expressing the multimeric hybrid gene in a cellular expression system. The first and second pathogens are selected from bacterial and viral pathogens. Such cellular expression system may be provided by bacterial cells, mammalian cells, insect cells, yeast cells or fungal cells. The chimeric protein product of gene expression may be separated from a culture of the cellular expression system and purified.

The present invention further includes a vaccine against diseases caused by multiple pathogen infections, comprising the chimeric protein encoded by the multimeric hybrid gene and a physiologically-acceptable carrier therefor. Such vaccine may be formulated to be administered in an injectable form, intranasally or orally.

The vaccines provided herein may be used to immunize a host against disease caused by multiple pathogenic infections, particularly those caused by a parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus, by administering an effective amount of the vaccine to the host. As noted above, for human PIV and RSV , the host may be infants and young children, pregnant women as well as those of a child-bearing age, and other susceptible persons, such as the elderly.

The chimeric protein provided herein also may be used as a diagnostic reagent for detecting infection by a plurality of different pathogens in a host, using a suitable assaying procedure.

It will be appreciated that, while the description of the present invention which follows focuses mainly on a chimeric molecule which is effective for immunization against diseases caused by infection by PIV and RSV, nevertheless the invention provided herein broadly extends to any chimeric protein which is effected for immunization against diseases caused by a plurality of pathogens, comprising an antigen from each of the pathogens linked in a single molecule, as well as to genes coding for such chimeric molecules.

In this application, by the term “multimeric hybrid genes” we mean genes encoding antigenic regions of proteins from different pathogens and by the term “chimeric proteins” we mean immunogens containing antigenic regions from proteins from different pathogens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No:1) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:2) sequence of a PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene and F protein, respectively;

FIG. 2 shows the restriction map of the PIV-3 F gene;

FIG. 3 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No:3) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:4) sequences of the PIV-3 HN gene and HN protein, respectively;

FIG. 4 shows the restriction map of the PIV-3 HN gene;

FIG. 5 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No:5) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:6) sequences of the RSV F gene and RSV F protein, respectively;

FIG. 6 shows the restriction map of the RSV F gene;

FIG. 7 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No:7) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:8) sequences of the RSV G gene and RSV G protein, respectively;

FIG. 8 shows the restriction map of the RSV G gene;

FIG. 9 shows the steps involved in the construction of an expression vector containing a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene;

FIG. 10 shows the steps involved in the construction of an expression vector containing a F_(PIV-3) gene lacking the 5′-untranslated sequence and transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic tail coding regions;

FIG. 11 shows the steps involved in the construction of an expression vector containing a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene containing a truncated PIV-3 F gene devoid of 5′-untranslated region linked to a truncated RSV F1 gene;

FIG. 12 shows the steps involved in construction of a modified pAC 610 baculovirus expression vector containing a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene consisting of the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′-untranslated sequence as well as transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail coding region linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show immunoblots of cell lysates from Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses;

FIG. 14 shows the steps involved in constructing a baculovirus transfer vector (pD2);

FIG. 15 shows the steps involved in construction of a chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show an SDS-PAGE gel and immunoblot of purified F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric protein;

FIG. 17 illustrates mutagenesis of a PIV-3 F gene; and

FIG. 18 shows the steps involved in the construction of a chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In the present invention, a chimeric molecule protective against two different major childhood diseases is provided. The present invention specifically relates to the formulation of various recombinant Parainfluenza virus (PIV)/Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunogens to produce safe and efficacious vaccines capable of protecting infants and young children, as well as other susceptible individuals, against diseases caused by infection with both PIV and RSV. However, as described above, the present invention extends to the construction of multimeric hybrid genes containing genes coding for protective antigens from many pathogens. Such vaccines may be administered in any desired manner, such as a readily-injectable vaccine, intranasally or orally.

In the present invention, the inventors have specifically engineered several model PIV/RSV chimeric genes containing relevant sequences from selected genes coding for PIV-3 and RSV surface glycoproteins linked in tandem. All genes in the chimeric constructs described herein were obtained from recent clinical isolates of PIV-3 and RSV. The chimeric gene constructs may include gene sequences from either PIV-3 F or HN genes linked in tandem to either RSV F or G genes in all possible relative orientations and combinations.

The chimeric gene constructs provided herein may consist of either the entire gene sequences or gene segments coding for immunogenic and protective epitopes thereof. The natural nucleotide sequence of these genes may be modified by mutation while retaining antigenicity and such modifications may include the removal of putative pre-transcriptional terminators to optimize their expression in eukaryotic cells. The genes were designed to code for hybrid PIV-RSV surface glycoproteins linked in tandem in a single construct to produce gene products which elicit protective antibodies against both parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial viruses. Such multimeric hybrid genes consist of a gene sequence coding for a human PIV-3 F or HN protein or an immunogenic epitope-containing fragment thereof linked to a gene sequence coding for a human RSV G or F protein or an immunogenic epitope-containing fragment thereof. Specific gene constructs which may be employed include F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) and F_(PIV-3) -G_(RSV) hybrid genes.

In addition, the present invention also extends to the construction of other multimeric genes, such as trimeric genes containing PIV and RSV genes or gene segments, linked in all possible relative orientations. For example:

F_(PIV)-HN_(PIV)-F or G_(RSV)

F_(PIV)-F_(RSV)-G_(RSV)

HN_(PIV)-F_(RSV)-G_(RSV)

The multimeric genes provided herein also may comprise at least one gene encoding at least one immunogenic and/or immunostimulating molecule.

The multimeric hybrid genes provided herein may be sub-cloned into appropriate vectors for expression in cellular expression systems. Such cellular expression systems may include bacterial, mammalian, insect and fungal, such as yeast, cells.

The chimeric proteins provided herein also may be presented to the immune system by the use of a live vector, including live viral vectors, such as recombinant poxviruses, adenoviruses, retroviruses, Semliki Forest viruses, and live bacterial vectors, such as Salmonella and mycobacteria (e.g. BCG).

Chimeric proteins, such as a PIV/RSV chimera, present in either the supernatants or cell lysates of transfected, transformed or infected cells then can be purified in any convenient manner.

To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective ability of the chimeric proteins, suitable experimental animals are immunized with either varying doses of the purified chimeric proteins, such as the PIV/RSV chimera, and/or live recombinant vectors as described above. Such chimeric proteins may be presented to the immune system by either the use of physiologically-acceptable vehicles, such as aluminum phosphate, or by the use of delivery systems, such as ISCOMS and liposomes. The chimeras also may be formulated to be capable of eliciting a mucosal response, for example, by conjugation or association with immunotargeting vehicles, such as the cholera toxin B subunit, or by incorporation into microparticles. The vaccines may further comprise means for delivering the multimeric protein specifically to cells of the immune system, such as toxin molecules or antibodies. To further enhance the immunoprotective ability of the chimeric proteins, they may be supplemented with other immunogenic and/or immunostimulating molecules. The chimeric PIV/RSV proteins specifically described herein may be formulated with an adjuvant, such as aluminum phosphate, to produce readily-injectable vaccines for protection against the diseases caused by both PIV-3 and RSV. The chimeric proteins also may be administered intranasally or orally. The chimeric proteins may be used in test kits for diagnosis of infection by PIV-3 and RSV.

The invention is not limited to the preparation of chimeric PIV-3 and RSV proteins, but is applicable to the production of chimeric immunogens composed of either the entire sequences or regions of the immunogenic proteins from at least two pathogens sequentially linked in a single molecule. Chimeric antigens also may be synthesized to contain the immunodominant epitopes of several proteins from different pathogens. These chimeric antigens may be useful as vaccines or as diagnostic reagents.

SEQUENCE IDENTIFICATION

Several nucleotide and amino acid sequences are referred to in the disclosure of this application. The following table identifies the sequences and the location of the sequence:

SEQ. ID No. Identification Location 1 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 1, Example 1 PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene 2 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 1, Example 1 PCR-amplified PIV-F protein 3 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 3, Example 1 PIV-3 HN gene 4 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 3, Example 1 PIV-3 HN protein 5 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 5, Example 1 RSV F gene 6 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 5, Example 1 RSV F protein 7 Nucleotide sequence for FIG. 7, Example 1 RSV G gene 8 Amino acid sequence for FIG. 7, Example 1 RSV G protein 9 BsrI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2 nucleotide cassette 10 BspHI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2 nucleotide cassette 11 EcoRI - Ppu MI oligo- FIG. 9, Example 2 nucleotide cassette 12 BrsI - BamHI oligo- FIG. 10, Example 3 nucleotide cassette 13 EcoRI -Bsr BI oligo- FIG. 10, Example 3 nucleotide cassette 14 EcoRV - EcoRI oligo- FIG. 11, Example 5 nucleotide cassette 15 EcoRV - BamHI oligo- FIG. 14, Example 8 nucleotide cassette 16 BspHI - BspHI oligo- FIG. 15, Example 9 nucleotide cassette 17 Nucleotide sequence for Example 15 PIV-3 F gene 18 Mutagenic oligo- FIG. 17, Example 15 nucleotide #2721 19 Nucleotide sequence for Example 15 part of oligo- nucleotide #2721 20 Oligonucleotide probe Example 15

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

Certain plasmid DNAs described and referred to herein have been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) located at 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, USA, pursuant to the Budapest Treaty and prior to the filing of this application. The deposited purified plasmids will become available to the public and all restrictions imposed on access to the deposits will be removed upon grant of this U.S. patent application or upon publication of its corresponding European patent application, whichever first occurs. The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the plasmid DNAs of the constructs deposited, since the deposited embodiment is intended only as an illustration of the invention. The following purified plasmids were deposited at the ATCC with the noted accession numbers on Dec. 17, 1992:

Plasmid Example No. Accession No. pAC DR7 5 75387 pD2RF-HN 9 75388 pD2F-G 16 75389

Any equivalent plasmids that can be used to produce equivalent antigens as described in this application are within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A more complete understanding can be obtained by reference to the following specific Examples. These Examples are described solely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes in form and substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient. Although specific terms have been employed herein, such terms are intended in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitations.

Methods for cloning and sequencing the PIV-3 and RSV genes as well as the procedures for sub-cloning the genes into appropriate vectors and expressing the gene constructs in mammalian and insect cells are not explicitly described in this disclosure but are well within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Example 1

This Example outlines the strategy used to clone and sequence the PIV-3 F, HN and RSV F, G genes (from a type A isolate). These genes were used in the construction of the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3), and F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) chimeric genes detailed in Examples 2 to 4, 9 and 15, respectively.

Two PIV-3 F gene clones initially were obtained by PCR amplification of cDNA derived from viral RNA extracted from a recent clinical isolate of PIV-3. Two other PIV-3 F gene clones as well as the PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV G genes were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA isolated from MRC-5 cells infected with clinical isolates of either PIV-3 or RSV (type A isolate). The PIV-3 F (both PCR amplified and non-PCR amplified), PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV G gene clones were sequenced by the dideoxynucleotide chain termination procedure. Sequencing of both strands of the genes was performed by a combination of manual and automated sequencing.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No:1) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:2) sequences of the PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene and F protein, respectively, are presented in FIG. 1 and the restriction map of the gene is shown in FIG. 2. Sequence analysis of the 1844 nucleotides of two PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene clones confirmed that the clones were identical. Comparison of the coding sequence of the PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene clone with that of the published PIV-3 F gene sequence revealed a 2.6% divergence in the coding sequence between the two genes resulting in fourteen amino acid substitutions.

The nucleotide sequence of the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene clone differed from the PCR amplified gene clone in the following manner: the non-PCR amplified clone had ten additional nucleotides (AGGACAAAAG) (SEQ ID NO:21) 5′ untranslated region of the gene and differed at four positions, 8 (T in PCR-amplified gene to C in non-PCR amplified gene) , 512 (C in PCR-amplified gene to T in non-PCR amplified gene) , 518 (G in PCR-amplified gene to A in non-PCR amplified gene) and 1376 (A in PCR-amplified gene to G in non-PCR amplified gene). These changes resulted in three changes in the amino acid sequence of the F protein encoded by the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene. Serine (position 110), glycine (position 112), and aspartic acid (position 398) in the primary amino acid sequence of the F protein encoded by the PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene was changed to phenylalanine (position 110), glutamic acid (position 112) and glycine (position 398), respectively, in the primary amino acid sequence of the F protein encoded by the PCR amplified clone.

FIG. 3 shows the nucleotide (SEQ ID No:3) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:4) sequences of the PIV-3 HN gene and protein, respectively and the restriction map of the gene is presented in FIG. 4. Analysis of the 1833 nucleotide sequence from two HN clones confirmed that the sequences were identical. A 4.4% divergence in the coding sequence of the PIV-3 HN gene was noted when the sequence was compared to the published PIV-3 HN coding sequence. This divergence resulted in seventeen amino acid substitutions in the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by the PIV-3 HN gene.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No:5) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:6) sequences of the RSV F gene and RSV F protein, respectively, are shown in FIG. 5 and the restriction map of the gene is shown in FIG. 6. Analysis of the 1887 nucleotide sequence from two RSV F clones verified complete sequence homology between the two clones. Comparison of this nucleotide sequence with that reported for the RSV F gene revealed approximately 1.8% divergence in the coding sequence resulting in eleven amino acid substitutions.

The nucleotide (SEQ ID No:7) and amino acid (SEQ ID No:8) sequences of the RSV G gene and RSV G protein, respectively, are presented in FIG. 7 while the restriction map of the gene is outlined in FIG. 8. Comparison of the 920 nucleotide sequence of the G gene clone with the published G sequence (type A isolate) revealed a 4.2% divergence in the nucleotide sequence and a 6.7% divergence in the amino acid sequence of the gene product. This divergence resulted in twenty amino acid substitutions.

The full-length PIV-3 F (non-PCR amplified) , PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV G genes were cloned into λgtll and subcloned into the multiple cloning site of a Bluescript M13-SK vector, either by blunt end ligation or using appropriate linkers. The PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene was directly cloned into the Bluescript vector. The cloning vectors containing the PIV-3 F-PCR amplified, PIV-3 F non-PCR amplified, PIV-3 HN, RSV F and RSV G genes were named pPI3F, pPI3Fc, pPIVHN, PRSVF and PRSVG, respectively.

Example 2

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript-based expression vector (pMCR20) containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene. This chimeric gene construct contains the 5′ untranslated region of the PIV-3 F gene but lacks the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic tail coding regions of both the PIV-3 and RSV F genes. The steps involved in the construction of this plasmid are summarized in FIG. 9.

To prepare the PIV-3 portion of the chimeric gene (FIG. 9, step 1), the full length PIV-3 gene lacking the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic tail coding regions was retrieved from plasmid pPI3F by cutting the polylinker with BamHI, blunt-ending the linearized plasmid with Klenow polymerase and cutting the gene with BsrI. A BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:9) containing a PpuMI site and three successive translational stop codons were ligated to the truncated 1.6 Kb [BamHI]-BsrI PIV-3 F gene fragment and cloned into the EcoRV-BamHI sites of a Bluescript M13-SK expression vector containing the human methallothionen promoter and the poly A and IVS sequences of the SV40 genome (designated pMCR20), to generate plasmid pME1.

To engineer the RSV F gene component of the chimeric construct (FIG. 9, step 2), the RSV F gene lacking the transmembrane region and cytoplasmic tail coding regions was retrieved from plasmid pRSVF by cutting the polylinker with EcoRI and the gene with BspHI. A synthetic BspHI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:10) containing three successive translational stop codons was ligated to the 1.6 Kb truncated RSV F gene and cloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of the Bluescript based expression vector, pMCR20 to produce plasmid pES13A. Plasmid pES13A then was cut with EcoRI and PpuMI to remove the leader and F2 coding sequences from the truncated RSV F gene. The leader sequence was reconstructed using an EcoRI-PpuMI oligocassette (SEQ ID No:11) and ligated to the RSV F1 gene segment to generate plasmid pES23A.

To prepare the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene (FIG. 9, step 3) containing the 5′ untranslated region of the PIV-3 F gene linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene fragment, plasmid pME1 (containing the 1.6 Kb truncated PIV-3 F gene) first was cut with PpuMI and BamHI. The PpuMI-BamHI restricted pME1 vector was dephosphorylated with intestinal alkaline phosphatase. The 1.1 Kb RSV F1 gene fragment was retrieved from plasmid pES23A by cutting the plasmid with PpuMI and BamHI. The 1.1 Kb PpuMI-BamHI RSV F1 gene fragment was cloned into the PpuMI-BamHI sites of the dephosphorylated pME1 vector to generate plasmid pES29A. This chimeric gene construct contains the 5′ untranslated region of the PIV-3 F gene but lacks the nucleotide sequences coding for the hydrophobic anchor domains and cytoplasmic tails of both the PIV-3 and RSV F proteins.

Example 3

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript-based expression vector containing the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′ untranslated and transmembrane anchor and cytoplasmic tail coding regions. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are outlined in FIG. 10.

Plasmid pPI3F containing the full length PIV-3 F gene was cut with BamHI, blunt ended with Klenow polymerase and then cut with BsrI to remove the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail coding regions. The Bluescript-based expression vector, pMCR20, was cut with SmaI and BamHI. A synthetic BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:12) containing a translational stop codon was ligated with the 1.6 Kb blunt ended-BsrI PIV-3 F gene fragment to the SmaI-BamHI restricted pMCR20 vector to produce plasmid pMpFB. The PIV-3 F gene of this construct lacked the DNA fragment coding for the transmembrane and cytoplasmic anchor domains but contained the 5′ untranslated region. To engineer a plasmid containing the PIV-3 F gene devoid of both the 5′ untranslated region and the DNA fragment coding for the hydrophobic anchor domain, plasmid pMpFB was cut with EcoRI and BstBI. An EcoRI-BstBI oligocassette (SEQ ID No:13) containing the sequences to reconstruct the signal peptide and coding sequences removed by the EcoRI-BstBI cut was ligated to the EcoRI-BstBI restricted pMpFB vector to produce plasmid pMpFA.

Example 4

This Example illustrates the construction of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene composed of the truncated PIV-3 F gene devoid of the 5′ untranslated region linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are summarized in FIG. 11.

To prepare this chimeric gene construct, plasmid pES29A (Example 2) was cut with BstBI and BamHI to release the 2.5 Kb BstBI-BamHI PI3-3 F-RSV F1 chimeric gene fragment. This BstBI-BamHI fragment was isolated from a low melting point agarose gel and cloned into the BstBI-BamHI sites of the dephosphorylated vector pMpFA to produce plasmid pES60A. This construct contained the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′ untranslated region and the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic tail coding sequences linked to the F1 coding region of the truncated RSV F gene. This chimeric gene was subsequently subcloned into the baculovirus transfer vector (see Example 5).

Example 5

This Example illustrates the construction of the modified pAC 610 baculovirus transfer vector containing the native polyhedrin promoter and the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene consisting of the PIV-3 F gene lacking both the 5′ untranslated sequence and the nucleotide sequence coding for the hydrophobic anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail linked to the truncated RSV F1 gene. Construction of this plasmid is illustrated in FIG. 12.

The pAC 610 baculovirus expression vector was modified to contain the native polyhedrin promoter in the following manner. Vector pAC 610 was cut with EcoRV and BamHI. The 9.4 Kb baculovirus transfer vector lacking the EcoRV-BamHI DNA sequence was isolated from a low melting point agarose gel and treated with intestinal alkaline phosphatase. In a 3-way ligation, an EcoRV-EcoRI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:14) containing the nucleotides required to restore the native polyhedrin promoter was ligated with the 1.6 Kb EcoRI-BamHI truncated RSV F gene fragment isolated from construct pES13A (Example 2, step 2) and the EcoRV-BamHI restricted pAC 610 phosphatased vector to generate plasmid pES47A. To prepare the pAC 610 based expression vector containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene, plasmid pES47A was first cut with EcoRI and BamHI to remove the 1.6 Kb truncated RSV F gene insert. The 2.8 Kb F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) chimeric gene was retrieved by cutting plasmid pES60A (Example 4) with EcoRI and BamHI. The 2.8 Kb EcoRI-BamHI chimeric gene was ligated to the EcoRI-BamHI restricted pES47A vector to generate plasmid pAC DR7 (ATCC 75387).

Example 6

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinant baculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 1.0 μg wild-type AcMNPV DNA and 2.5 μg of F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) plasmid DNA (plasmid pAC DR7—Example 5). Putative recombinant baculoviruses (purified once by serial dilution) containing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) chimeric gene were identified by dot-blot hybridization. Lysates of insect cells infected with the putative recombinant baculoviruses were probed with the ³²P-labelled F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) chimeric gene insert. Recombinant baculoviruses were plaque-purified twice before being used for expression studies. All procedures were carried out according to the protocols outlined by M.D. Summers and G. E. Smith in “A Manual of Methods for Baculovirus Vectors and Insect Cell Culture Procedures”, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin 1555, 1987.

Example 7

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) protein in supernatants and cell lysates of infected Sf9 cells.

Insect cells were infected with the plaque-purified recombinant baculoviruses prepared as described in Example 6 at a m.o.i. of 8. Concentrated supernatants from cells infected with the recombinant viruses were positive in a PIV-3 F specific ELISA. In addition, when lysates from ³⁵S-methioninelabelled infected cells were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gels were analyzed by autoradiography, a strong band with apparent molecular weight of approximately 90 kDa was present in lysates of cells infected with the recombinant viruses but was absent in the lysates from wild-type infected cells. The presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) protein in the lysates of cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses was confirmed further by Western blot analysis using monospecific anti-PIV-3 F and anti-RSV F antisera and/or monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Lysates from cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses reacted with both anti-PIV-3 and anti-RSV antisera in immunoblots. As shown in the immunoblot of FIG. 13, lysates from cells infected with either the RSV F or F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) recombinant baculoviruses reacted positively with the anti-F RSV Mab. As expected, lysates from cells infected with wild type virus did not react with this Mab. In addition, only lysates from cells infected with the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) recombinant viruses reacted with the anti-PIV-3 F₁ antiserum.

Example 8

This Example illustrates modification of the baculovirus transfer vector pVL1392 (obtained from Invitrogen), wherein the polyhedrin ATG start codon was converted to ATT and the sequence CCG was present downstream of the polyhedrin gene at positions +4,5,6. Insertion of a structural gene several base pairs downstream from the ATT codon is known to enhance translation. The steps involved in constructing this modified baculovirus transfer vector are outlined in FIG. 14.

The baculovirus expression vector pVL1392 was cut with EcoRV and BamHI. The 9.5 kb restricted pVL1392 vector was ligated to an EcoRV-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:15) to produce the pD2 vector.

Example 9

This Example illustrates the construction of the pD2 baculovirus expression vector containing the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene consisting of the truncated RSV F and PIV-3 HN genes linked in tandem. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are summarized in FIG. 15.

To engineer the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene, the RSV F gene lacking the nucleotide sequence coding for the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of the RSV F glycoprotein was retrieved from plasmid PRSVF (Example 1) by cutting the polylinker with EcoRI and the gene with BspHI. The PIV-3 HN gene devoid of the DNA fragment coding for the hydrophobic anchor domain was retrieved from plasmid pPIVHN (Example 1) by cutting the gene with BspHI and the polylinker with BamHI. The 1.6 Kb EcoRI-BspHI RSV F gene fragment and the 1.7 Kb BspHI-BamHI PIV-3 HN gene fragment were isolated from low melting point agarose gels. For cloning purposes, the two BspHI sites in the Bluescript based mammalian cell expression vector, pMCR20, were mutated. Mutations were introduced in the BspHI sites of the pMCR20 by cutting the expression vector with BspHI, treating both the BspHI restricted vector and the 1.1 Kb fragment released by the BspHI cut with Klenow polymerase and ligating the blunt-ended 1.1 Kb fragment to the blunt-ended Bluescript-based expression vector to generate plasmid pM′. Since insertion of the 1.1 Kb blunt-end fragment in the mammalian cell expression vector in the improper orientation would alter the Amp^(r) gene of the Bluescript-based expression vector, only colonies of HB101 cells transformed with the pM′ plasmid DNA with the 1.1 Kb blunt-ended fragment in the proper orientation could survive in the presence of ampicillin. Plasmid DNA was purified from ampicillin-resistant colonies of HB101 cells transformed with plasmid pM′ by equilibrium centrifugation in cesium chloride-ethidium bromide gradients. The 1.6 Kb EcoRI-BspHI RSV F and 1.7 Kb BspHI-BamHI PIV-3 HN gene fragments were directly cloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of vector pM′ in a 3-way ligation to generate plasmid pM′ RF-HN.

To restore specific coding sequences of the RSV F and PIV-3 HN genes removed by the BspHI cut, a BspHI-BspHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:16) containing the pertinent RSV F and PIV-3 HN gene sequences was ligated via the BspHI site to the BspHI-restricted plasmid pM′ RF-HN to produce plasmid pM RF-HN. Clones containing the BspHI-BspHI oligonucleotide cassette in the proper orientation were identified by sequence analysis of the oligonucleotide linker and its flanking regions.

To clone the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene into the baculovirus expression vector pD2 (Example 8), the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) truncated gene first was retrieved from plasmid pM RF-HN by cutting the plasmid with EcoRI. The 3.3 Kb F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene then was cloned into the EcoRI site of the baculovirus transfer vector plasmid pD2 to generate plasmid pD2 RF-HN (ATCC 75388). Proper orientation of the 3.3 Kb EcoRI F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric gene insert in plasmid pD2 RF-HN was confirmed by sequence analysis.

Example 10

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinant baculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 1 μg wild-type AcNPV DNA and 2 μg of F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) plasmid DNA (plasmid pD2 RF-HN-Example 9). Putative recombinant baculoviruses (purified once by serial dilution) containing the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric gene were identified by dot-blot hybridization. Lysates of insect cells infected with the putative recombinant baculoviruses were probed with the ³²P-labelled RSV F or PTV-3 HN gene oligonucleotide probes. Recombinant baculoviruses were plaque-purified three times before being used for expression studies. All procedures were carried out according to the protocols outlined by Summers and Smith (Example 6).

Example 11

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein in supernatants of infected Sf9 and High 5 cells.

Insect cells (Sf9 and High 5), maintained in serum free medium EX401, were infected with the plaque purified recombinant baculoviruses of Example 10 at a m.o.i. of 5 to 10 pfu/cell. Supernatants from cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses tested positive for expressed protein in both the RSV-F and PIV-3 HN specific ELISAS. In addition, supernatants from infected cells reacted positively with both an anti-F RSV monoclonal antibody and anti-HN peptide antisera on immunoblots. A distinct band of approximately 105 kDa was present in the immunoblots. These results confirm the secretion of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein into the supernatant of Sf9 and High 5 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses.

Example 12

This Example illustrates the purification of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein from the supernatants of infected High 5 cells.

High 5 cells, maintained in serum free medium, were infected with the plaque purified recombinant baculoviruses of Example 10 at a m.o.i of 5 pfu/cell. The supernatant from virus infected cells was harvested 2 days post-infection. The soluble F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric protein was purified from the supernatants of infected cells by immunoaffinity chromatography using an anti-HN PIV-3 monoclonal antibody. The anti-HN monoclonal antibody was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B by conventional techniques. The immunoaffinity column was washed with 10 bed volumes of washing buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.02% v/v TRITON-X 100) (Trademark for a non-ionic detergent) prior to use. After sample loading, the column was washed with 10 bed volumes of washing buffer followed by 3 bed volumes of high salt buffer (10 mm Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 500 mM NaCl, 0.02% v/v Triton-X 100) . The chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein was eluted from the immunoaffinity column with 100 MM glycine, pH 2.5, in the presence of 0.02% TRITON X-100. Eluted protein was neutralized immediately with 1M Tris-HCl, pH 10.7.

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis (FIG. 16, panel A) of the immunoaffinity-purified F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein revealed the presence of one major protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 105 kDa. The purified protein reacted with both an anti-RSV F monoclonal antibody and anti-HN peptide antisera on immunoblots (FIG. 16, panel B, lanes 1 and 2, respectively).

Example 13

This Example illustrates the immunogenicity of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein in guinea pigs.

Groups of four guinea pigs were injected intramuscularly with either 1.0 or 10.0 μg of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein purified as described in Example 12 and adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate. Groups of control animals were immunized with either placebo, or live PIV-3 or RSV (administered intranasally). Guinea pigs were bled 2 and 4 weeks after the primary injection and boosted at 4 weeks with an equivalent dose of the antigen formulation. Serum samples also were taken 2 and 4 weeks after the booster dose. To assess the ability of the chimeric protein to elicit PIV-3 and RSV-specific antibody responses, sera samples were analyzed for the presence of PIV-3 specific hemagglutination inhibiting and neutralizing antibodies as well as RSV neutralizing antibodies. As summarized in Table 1 below (the Tables appear at the end of the disclosure), the sera of animals immunized with two 10 μg doses of the chimeric protein had titres of PIV-3 specific hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and PIV-3/RSV neutralizing antibodies at the 6 and 8 week time points which were equivalent to the levels obtained following intranasal inoculation with either live PIV-3 or RSV. In addition, animals immunized with only two 1 ug doses of the chimeric protein elicited strong PIV-3 and RSV specific neutralizing antibodies. These results confirmed the immunogenicity of both the RSV and PIV-3 components of the chimeric protein and provided confirmatory evidence that a single recombinant immunogen can elicit neutralizing antibodies against both RSV and PIV-3.

Example 14

This Example illustrates the immunogenicity and protective ability of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein in cotton rats.

Groups of eight cotton rats were injected intramuscularly with either 1.0 or 10.0 ug of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein (prepared as described in Example 12) adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate. Groups of control animals were immunized with either placebo (PBS+aluminum phosphate) or live PIV-3 or RSV (administered intranasally). Cotton rats were bled 4 weeks after the primary injection and boosted at 4 weeks with an equivalent dose of the antigen formulation. Serum samples were also taken 1 week after the booster dose. As shown in Table 2 below, data from the 4-week bleed demonstrated that both a 1 and 10 μg dose of the chimeric protein was capable of inducing a strong primary response. Reciprocal mean log₂ PIV-3 specific HAI and PIV-3/RSV neutralizing titers were equivalent to the titres obtained with live PIV-3 and RSV. Thus, a single inoculation of the chimeric protein was sufficient to elicit neutralizing antibodies against both PIV-3 and RSV. Strong neutralizing PIV-3 and RSV titres also were observed following the booster dose (5 week bleed). These results provide additional evidence that both the RSV and PIV-3 components of the chimeric protein are highly immunogenic.

To assess the ability of the chimeric immunogen to simultaneously protect animals against both RSV and PIV-3, four cotton rats from each group were challenged intranasally with 100 TCID₅₀ units of either PIV-3 or RSV. Animals were killed 4 days after virus challenge. Virus titers were determined in lung lavages. As shown in Table 3 below, animals immunized with either 1 or 10 μg of the chimeric F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) protein were completely protected against challenge with either PIV-3 or RSV. These results provide evidence that the chimeric protein is not only highly immunogenic but can also simultaneously protect cotton rats against disease caused by both PIV-3 and RSV infection.

Example 15

This Example illustrates the construction of a Bluescript M13-SK vector containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene. This chimeric gene construct contains the 5′ untranslated region of a mutated PIV-3 F gene but lacks the nucleotide sequence coding for the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic tail domains of both a mutated PIV-3 F and the native RSV G genes. The steps involved in constructing this plasmid are outlined in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The first step (FIG. 17) involved in preparing the PIV-3 F component of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene construct was to eliminate the putative pre-termination sites within the 18 nucleotide long sequence 5′ CAAGAAAAAGGAATAAAA 3′ (SEQ ID No:17) located between positions 857 and 874 of the non PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene and positions 847 and 864 of the PCR-amplified PIV-3 F gene (see FIG. 1). To this end, the PIV-F cDNA of the non-PCR amplified PIV-3 F gene was cut at the BsaAI and EcoRI sites. The BsaAI-EcoRI PIV F gene fragment was cloned into the EcoRI site of a Bluescript M13-SK vector using an EcoRI-BsaAI linker. The 857-874 target region of the PIV-3 F gene (non-PCR amplified) then was mutated by oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis using the method of Morinaga et al. [1984, Biotechnology 2:636-639]. Plasmid pPI3Fc (Example 1) was cut with ScaI in the Amp^(r) gene and dephosphorylated with alkaline phosphatase (plasmid #1). A second sample of plasmid pPI3Fc was cut with BstEII and NsiI to produce a 3.9 Kb restricted plasmid, lacking the 0.9 Kb BstEII-NsiI fragment of the PIV-3 F gene (plasmid #2). A mutagenic 78-mer synthetic oligonucleotide (#2721 shown in FIG. 17-SEQ ID No:18)) containing the sequence 5′ CAGGAGAAGGGTATCAAG 3′ (SEQ ID No:19) was synthesized to specifically mutate the 857-874 DNA segment without changing the F protein sequence. This oligonucleotide was added to plasmid DNAs #1 and #2, denatured at 100° C. for 3 min. and renatured by gradual cooling. The mixture then was incubated in the presence of DNA polymerase, dNTPs and T4 ligase and transformed into HB101 cells. Bacteria containing the 1.8 Kb mutated PIV-3 F gene were isolated on YT agar plates containing 100 μg/ml ampicillin. Hybridization with the oligonucleotide probe 5′ AGGAGAAGGGTATCAAG 3′ (SEQ ID No: 20) was used to confirm the presence of the mutated PIV-3 F gene. The mutated gene sequence was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The plasmid containing the mutated PIV-3 gene was designated pPI3Fm.

The second step (FIG. 18) in the engineering of the chimeric gene construct involved constructing a Bluescript based vector to contain the truncated PIV-3 Fm gene lacking the nucleotide sequence coding for the transmembrane anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail of the PIV-3 F protein linked in tandem with the RSV G gene lacking both the 5′ leader sequence and the nucleotide sequence coding for the transmembrane anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail of the G glycoprotein.

To prepare this chimeric gene, the orientation of the mutated PIV-F gene in plasmid pPI3Fm first was reversed by EcoRI digestion and religation to generate plasmid pPI3Fmr. To prepare the PIV-3 F gene component of the chimeric gene, plasmid pPI3Fmr was cut with NotI and BsrI to release the 1.7 Kb truncated PIV-3 F gene. To prepare the RSV G component, the 0.95 Kb RSV-G gene lacking both the 5′ leader sequence and the DNA segment encoding the G protein anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail was released from plasmid pRSVG (Example 1) by cutting the polylinker with EcoRI and the gene with BamHI. The 0.95 Kb EcoRI-BamHI RSV G gene fragment was subcloned into the EcoRI-BamHI sites of a restricted Bluescript vector, pM13-SK, to produce plasmid pRSVGt. The 0.95 Kb EcoRI-BamHI G gene fragment and the 1.5 Kb NotI-BsrI truncated PIV-3 F gene were linked via a BsrI-BamHI oligonucleotide cassette (SEQ ID No:9) restoring the F and G gene coding sequences and cloned into the pRSVGt vector restricted with BamHI and NotI in a 3-way ligation. The plasmid thus generated was designated pFG.

Example 16

This Example outlines the construction of the pD2 baculovirus transfer vector (described in Example 8) containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene consisting of a mutated PIV-3 F gene lacking the hydrophobic anchor and cytoplasmic coding regions linked to the RSV G gene lacking both the 5′ leader sequence and the nucleotide sequences encoding the transmembrane anchor domain and cytoplasmic tail of the G protein.

To prepare this construct, plasmid pFG (Example 15) was cut with EcoRI to release the 2.6 Kb F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) chimeric gene. The 2.6 Kb EcoRI restricted chimeric gene fragment then was sub-cloned into the EcoRI site of the dephosphorylated pD2 vector to generate the 12.1 Kb plasmid pD2F-G (ATCC 75389).

Example 17

This Example outlines the preparation of plaque-purified recombinant baculoviruses containing the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene.

Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were co-transfected with 2 ug of pD2F-G plasmid DNA (Example 16) and 1 ug of linear wild-type AcNPV DNA (obtained from Invitrogen). Recombinant baculoviruses containing the F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene were plaque-purified twice according to the procedure outlined in Example 10.

Example 18

This Example illustrates the presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) protein in the supernatant of Sf9 and High 5 cells infected with the recombinant baculoviruses.

Sf9 and High 5 cells were infected with recombinant baculoviruses containing the F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) gene (Example 16) at a m.o.i. of 5 to 10 pfu/cell. The supernatant of cells infected with the recombinant viruses tested positive for expressed protein in the PIV-3 F specific ELISA. Supernatants of infected cells reacted with both anti-F PIV-3 and anti-G RSV monoclonal antibodies in immunoblots. These results confirm the presence of the chimeric F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) protein in the supernatants of infected Sf9 and High 5 cells.

Example 19

This Example outlines the preparation of recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) genes.

Vaccinia virus recombinant viruses expressing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) (designated vP1192) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) (designated vP1195) genes were produced at Virogenetics Corporation (Troy, N.Y.) (an entity related to assignee hereof) using the COPAK host-range selection system. Insertion plasmids used in the COPAK host-range selection system contained the vaccinia K1L host-range gene [Perkus et al., (1990) Virology 179:276-286] and the modified vaccinia H6 promoter [Perkus et al. (1989), J. Virology 63:3829-3836]. In these insertion plasmids, the K1L gene, H6 promoter and polylinker region are situated between Copenhagen strain vaccinia flanking arms replacing the ATI region [open reading frames (ORFs) A25L, A26L; Goebel et al., (1990), Virology 179:247-266; 517-563]. COPAK insertion plasmids are designed for use in in vivo recombination using the rescue virus NYVAC (vP866) (Tartaglia et al., (1992) Virology 188:217-232). Selection of recombinant viruses was done on rabbit kidney cells.

Recombinant viruses, vP1192 and vP1195 were generated using insertion plasmids pES229A-6 and PSD.RN, respectively. To prepare plasmid pES229A-6 containing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene, the COPAK-H6 insertion plasmid pSD555 was cut with SmaI and dephosphorylated with intestinal alkaline phosphatase. The 2.6 Kb F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene was retrieved from plasmid pES60A (Example 4) by cutting the plasmid with EcoRI and BamHI. The 2.6 Kb EcoRI-BamHI F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) gene was blunt ended with Klenow polymerase, isolated from a low melting point agarose gel and cloned into the SmaI site of the COPAK-H6 insertion plasmid pSD555 to generate plasmid pES229A-6. This positioned the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) ORF such that the 5′ end is nearest the H6 promoter.

To prepare plasmid PSD.RN, the pSD555 vector first was cut with SmaI and BamHI. Plasmid pM RF-HN (Example 9) containing the truncated F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene was cut with ClaI, blunt ended with Klenow polymerase and then cut with BamHI. The 3.3 Kb F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) gene was cloned into the SmaI-BamHI sites of the pSD555 vector to generate plasmid PSD.RN. This positioned the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) ORF such that the H6 5′ end is nearest the H6 promoter.

Plasmids pES229A-6 and PSD.RN were used in in vitro recombination experiments in vero cells with NYVAC (vP866) as the rescuing virus. Recombinant progeny virus was selected on rabbit kidney (RK)-13 cells (ATCC #CCL37). Several plaques were passaged two times on RK-13 cells. Virus containing the chimeric genes were confirmed by standard in situ plaque hybridization [Piccini et al. (1987), Methods in Enzymology, 153:545-563] using radiolabeled probes specific for the PIV and RSV inserted DNA sequences. Plaque purified virus containing the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric genes were designated vP1192 and vP1195, respectively.

Radioimmunoprecipitation was done to confirm the expression of the chimeric genes in vP1192 and vP1195 infected cells. These assays were performed with lysates prepared from infected Vero cells [according to the procedure of Taylor et al., (1990) J. Virology 64, 1441-1450] using guinea pig monospecific PIV-3 anti-HN and anti-F antiserum and rabbit anti-RSV F antiserum. Both the anti-PIV F and anti-RSV F antisera precipitated a protein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 90 koa from vP1l92 infected Vero cells. Both anti-RSV F and guinea pig anti-PIV HN antisera precipitated a protein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 100 kDa from vP1195 infected cells. These results confirmed the production of the F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV) and F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) chimeric proteins in Vero cells infected with the recombinant poxviruses.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In summary of the disclosure, the present invention provides multimeric hybrid genes which produce chimeric proteins capable of eliciting protection against infection by a plurality of pathogens, particularly PIV and RSV. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

TABLE 1 Secondary antibody response of guinea pigs immunized with the chimeric F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3) protein HAI Titre^(a) Neutralization Titre^(b) (log₂ ± s.e.) (log₂ ± s.e.) Antigen Dose PIV-3 PIV-3 RSV Formulation (μg) 6 wk Bleed 8 wk Bleed 6 wk Bleed 8 wk Bleed 6 wk Bleed 8 wk Bleed Buffer — <1.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3) 10.0 9.1 ± 0.3 9.1 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.3 7.1 ± 0.5 5.5 ± 0.9 4.5 ± 1.2 1.0 7.0 ± 2.0 7.3 ± 2.2 5.0 ± 1.5 4.5 ± 1.4 4.5 ± 0.5 3.0 ± 1.0 Live PIV-3 8.6 ± 0.7 7.3 ± 0.6 7.0 ± 0.4 7.3 ± 0.6 N/A N/A Live RSV N/A^(c) N/A N/A N/A 5.5 ± 1.5 5.0 ± 1.0 ^(a)Reciprocal mean log₂ serum dilution which inhibits erythrocyte agglutination by 4 hemagglutinating units of PIV-3 ^(b)Reciprocal mean log₂ serum dilution which blocks hemadsorption of 100 TCID₅₀ units of PIV-3 or RSV ^(c)N/A — not applicable

TABLE 2 Serum antibody response of cotton rats immunized with the chimeric F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3) protein^(a) HAI Titre^(b) Neutralization Titre^(c) (log₂ ± s.d.) (log₂ ± s.d.) Antigen Dose PIV-3 PIV-3 RSV Formulation (μg) 4 wk Bleed 5 wk Bleed 4 wk Bleed 5 wk Bleed 4 wk Bleed 5 wk Bleed Buffer — 2.8 ± 0.5 <3.0 ± 0.0 <1.0 ± 1.0 <1.0 ± 0.0 1.8 ± 0.3 0.8 ± 0.7 F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3) 10.0 9.5 ± 1.3 10.5 ± 0.6 >9.0 ± 0.0 >9.0 ± 0.0 5.2 ± 1.1 5.8 ± 0.9 1.0 9.3 ± 1.0 10.3 ± 0.5 >9.0 ± 0.0 >9.0 ± 0.0 5.0 ± 0.7 5.8 ± 1.2 Live PIV-3 7.0 ± 0.0 8.5 ± 0.7 >9.0 ± 0.0 9.2 ± 0.7 N/A N/A Live RSA N/A^(d) N/A N/A N/A 5.5 ± 0.6 8.5 ± 0.6 ^(a)Each value represents the mean titre af antisera from 8 animals. ^(b)Reciprocal mean log₂ serum diution which inhibits erythrocyte agglutination by 4 hemagglutinating units of PIV-3 ^(c)Reciprocal mean log₂ serum dilution which blocks hemadsorption of 100 TCID₃₀ units of PIV-3 or RSV ^(d)N/A — not applicable

TABLE 3 Response of immunized cotton rats to PIV/RSV challenge^(a) Mean virus lung titre Antigen Dose log₁₀/g lung ± s.d. Formation (μg) RSV PIV-3 Buffer — 3.7 ± 0.3 3.4 ± 0.3 F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3) 10.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 F_(RSV) - HN_(PIV-3)  1.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 Live RSV ≦1.5 ± 0.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 Live PIV-3 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 ≦1.5 ± 0.0 ^(a)Animals were challenged intranasally with 100 TCID₅₀ units of PIV-3 or RSV and killed 4 days later. Each value represents the mean virus lung titre of 4 animals.

                   #             SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:    (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 21 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 1844 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: AAGTCAATAC CAACAACTAT TAGCAGTCAT ACGTGCAAGA ACAAGAAAGA AG #AGATTCAA     60 AAAGCTAAAT AAGAGAAATC AAAACAAAAG GTATAGAACA CCCGAACAAC AA #AATCAAAA    120 CATCCAATCC ATTTTAAACA AAAATTCCAA AAGAGACCGG CAACACAACA AG #CACCAAAC    180 ACAATGCCAA CTTTAATACT GCTAATTATT ACAACAATGA TTATGGCATC TT #CCTGCCAA    240 ATAGATATCA CAAAACTACA GCATGTAGGT GTATTGGTCA ACAGTCCCAA AG #GGATGAAG    300 ATATCACAAA ACTTCGAAAC AAGATATCTA ATTTTGAGCC TCATACCAAA AA #TAGAAGAC    360 TCTAACTCTT GTGGTGACCA ACAGATCAAA CAATACAAGA GGTTATTGGA TA #GACTGATC    420 ATCCCTCTAT ATGATGGATT AAGATTACAG AAAGATGTGA TAGTAACCAA TC #AAGAATCC    480 AATGAAAACA CTGATCCCAG AACAAGACGA TCCTTTGGAG GGGTAATTGG AA #CCATTGCT    540 CTGGGAGTAG CAACCTCAGC ACAAATTACA GCGGCAGTTG CTCTGGTTGA AG #CCAAGCAG    600 GCAAAATCAG ACATCGAAAA ACTCAAAGAA GCAATCAGGG ACACAAACAA AG #CAGTGCAG    660 TCAGTTCAGA GCTCTATAGG AAATTTAATA GTAGCAATTA AATCAGTCCA AG #ATTATGTC    720 AACAACGAAA TGGTGCCATC GATTGCTAGA CTAGGTTGTG AAGCAGCAGG AC #TTCAATTA    780 GGAATTGCAT TAACACAGCA TTACTCAGAA TTAACAAACA TATTTGGTGA TA #ACATAGGA    840 TCGTTACAAG AAAAAGGAAT AAAATTACAA GGTATAGCAT CATTATACCG CA #CAAATATC    900 ACAGAAATAT TCACAACATC AACAGTTGAT AAATATGATA TCTATGATCT AT #TATTTACA    960 GAATCAATAA AGGTGAGAGT TATAGATGTT GATTTGAATG ATTACTCAAT CA #CCCTCCAA   1020 GTCAGACTCC CTTTATTAAC TAGGCTGCTG AACACTCAGA TCTACAAAGT AG #ATTCCATA   1080 TCATATAATA TCCAAAACAG AGAATGGTAT ATCCCTCTTC CCAGCCATAT CA #TGACGAAA   1140 GGGGCATTTC TAGGTGGAGC AGATGTCAAG GAATGTATAG AAGCATTCAG CA #GTTATATA   1200 TGCCCTTCTG ATCCAGGATT TGTACTAAAC CATGAAATGG AGAGCTGCTT AT #CAGGAAAC   1260 ATATCCCAAT GTCCAAGAAC CACGGTCACA TCAGACATTG TTCCAAGATA TG #CATTTGTC   1320 AATGGAGGAG TGGTTGCAAA CTGTATAACA ACCACCTGTA CATGCAACGG AA #TCGACAAT   1380 AGAATCAATC AACCACCTGA TCAAGGAGTA AAAATTATAA CACATAAAGA AT #GTAATACA   1440 ATAGGTATCA ACGGAATGCT GTTCAATACA AATAAAGAAG GAACTCTTGC AT #TCTACACA   1500 CCAAATGATA TAACACTAAA TAATTCTGTT GCACTTGATC CAATTGACAT AT #CAATCGAG   1560 CTTAACAAAG CCAAATCAGA TCTAGAAGAA TCAAAAGAAT GGATAAGAAG GT #CAAATCAA   1620 AAACTAGATT CTATTGGAAA CTGGCATCAA TCTAGCACTA CAATCATAAT TA #TTTTAATA   1680 ATGATCATTA TATTGTTTAT AATTAATGTA ACGATAATTA CAATTGCAAT TA #AGTATTAC   1740 AGAATTCAAA AGAGAAATCG AGTGGATCAA AATGACAAGC CATATGTACT AA #CAAACAAA   1800 TGACATATCT ATAGATCATT AGATATTAAA ATTATAAAAA ACTT    #                 184 #4 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 539 amino  #acids           (B) TYPE: amino acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE:     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: Met Pro Thr Leu Ile Leu Leu Ile Ile Thr Th #r Met Ile Met Ala Ser 1               5    #                10   #                15 Ser Cys Gln Ile Asp Ile Thr Lys Leu Gln Hi #s Val Gly Val Leu Val             20       #            25       #            30 Asn Ser Pro Lys Gly Met Lys Ile Ser Gln As #n Phe Glu Thr Arg Tyr         35           #        40           #        45 Leu Ile Leu Ser Leu Ile Pro Lys Ile Glu As #p Ser Asn Ser Cys Gly     50               #    55               #    60 Asp Gln Gln Ile Lys Gln Tyr Lys Arg Leu Le #u Asp Arg Leu Ile Ile 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Pro Leu Tyr Asp Gly Leu Arg Leu Gln Lys As #p Val Ile Val Thr Asn                 85   #                90   #                95 Gln Glu Ser Asn Glu Asn Thr Asp Pro Arg Th #r Arg Arg Ser Phe Gly             100       #           105       #           110 Gly Val Ile Gly Thr Ile Ala Leu Gly Val Al #a Thr Ser Ala Gln Ile         115           #       120           #       125 Thr Ala Ala Val Ala Leu Val Glu Ala Lys Gl #n Ala Lys Ser Asp Ile     130               #   135               #   140 Glu Lys Leu Lys Glu Ala Ile Arg Asp Thr As #n Lys Ala Val Gln Ser 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Val Gln Ser Ser Ile Gly Asn Leu Ile Val Al #a Ile Lys Ser Val Gln                 165   #               170   #               175 Asp Tyr Val Asn Asn Glu Ile Val Pro Ser Il #e Ala Arg Leu Gly Cys             180       #           185       #           190 Glu Ala Ala Gly Leu Gln Leu Gly Ile Ala Le #u Thr Gln His Tyr Ser         195           #       200           #       205 Glu Leu Thr Asn Ile Phe Gly Asp Asn Ile Gl #y Ser Leu Gln Glu Lys     210               #   215               #   220 Gly Ile Lys Leu Gln Gly Ile Ala Ser Leu Ty #r Arg Thr Asn Ile Thr 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Glu Ile Phe Thr Thr Ser Thr Val Asp Lys Ty #r Asp Ile Tyr Asp Leu                 245   #               250   #               255 Leu Phe Thr Glu Ser Ile Lys Val Arg Val Il #e Asp Val Asp Leu Asn             260       #           265       #           270 Asp Tyr Ser Ile Thr Leu Gln Val Arg Leu Pr #o Leu Leu Thr Arg Leu         275           #       280           #       285 Leu Asn Thr Gln Ile Tyr Lys Val Asp Ser Il #e Ser Tyr Asn Ile Gln     290               #   295               #   300 Asn Arg Glu Trp Tyr Ile Pro Leu Pro Ser Hi #s Ile Met Thr Lys Gly 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Ala Phe Leu Gly Gly Ala Asp Val Lys Glu Cy #s Ile Glu Ala Phe Ser                 325   #               330   #               335 Ser Tyr Ile Cys Pro Ser Asp Pro Gly Phe Va #l Leu Asn His Glu Met             340       #           345       #           350 Glu Ser Cys Leu Ser Gly Asn Ile Ser Gln Cy #s Pro Arg Thr Thr Val         355           #       360           #       365 Thr Ser Asp Ile Val Pro Arg Tyr Ala Phe Va #l Asn Gly Gly Val Val     370               #   375               #   380 Ala Asn Cys Ile Thr Thr Thr Cys Thr Cys As #n Gly Ile Asp Asn Arg 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Ile Asn Gln Pro Pro Asp Gln Gly Val Lys Il #e Ile Thr His Lys Glu                 405   #               410   #               415 Cys Asn Thr Ile Gly Ile Asn Gly Met Leu Ph #e Asn Thr Asn Lys Glu             420       #           425       #           430 Gly Thr Leu Ala Phe Tyr Thr Pro Asn Asp Il #e Thr Leu Asn Asn Ser         435           #       440           #       445 Val Ala Leu Asp Pro Ile Asp Ile Ser Ile Gl #u Leu Asn Lys Ala Lys     450               #   455               #   460 Ser Asp Leu Glu Glu Ser Lys Glu Trp Ile Ar #g Arg Ser Asn Gln Lys 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Leu Asp Ser Ile Gly Asn Trp His Gln Ser Se #r Thr Thr Ile Ile Ile                 485   #               490   #               495 Ile Leu Ile Met Ile Ile Ile Leu Phe Ile Il #e Asn Val Thr Ile Ile             500       #           505       #           510 Thr Ile Ala Ile Lys Tyr Tyr Arg Ile Gln Ly #s Arg Asn Arg Val Asp         515           #       520           #       525 Gln Asn Asp Lys Pro Tyr Val Leu Thr Asn Ly #s     530               #   535 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 1833 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: AGACAAATCC AAATTCGAGA TGGAATACTG GAAGCATACC AATCACGGAA AG #GATGCTGG     60 CAATGAGCTG GAGACGTCCA TGGCTACTAA TGGCAACAAG CTCACCAATA AG #ATAACATA    120 TATATTATGG ACAATAATCC TGGTGTTATT ATCAATAGTC TTCATCATAG TG #CTAATTAA    180 TTCCATCAAA AGTGAAAAGG CTCATGAATC ATTGCTGCAA GACATAAATA AT #GAGTTTAT    240 GGAAATTACA GAAAAGATCC AAATGGCATC GGATAATACC AATGATCTAA TA #CAGTCAGG    300 AGTGAATACA AGGCTTCTTA CAATTCAGAG TCATGTCCAG AATTATATAC CA #ATATCACT    360 GACACAACAG ATGTCAGATC TTAGGAAATT CATTAGTGAA ATTACAATTA GA #AATGATAA    420 TCAAGAAGTG CTGCCACAAA GAATAACACA TGATGTGGGT ATAAAACCTT TA #AATCCAGA    480 TGATTTTTGG AGATGCACGT CTGGTCTTCC ATCTTTAATG AAAACTCCAA AA #ATAAGGTT    540 AATGCCAGGG CCGGGATTAT TAGCTATGCC AACGACTGTT GATGGCTGTA TC #AGAACTCC    600 GTCCTTAGTT ATAAATGATC TGATTTATGC TTATACCTCA AATCTAATTA CT #CGAGGTTG    660 TCAGGATATA GGAAAATCAT ATCAAGTCTT ACAGATAGGG ATAATAACTG TA #AACTCAGA    720 CTTGGTACCT GACTTAAATC CCAGGATCTC TCATACTTTT AACATAAATG AC #AATAGGAA    780 GTCATGTTCT CTAGCACTCC TAAATACAGA TGTATATCAA CTGTGTTCAA CT #CCCAAAGT    840 TGATGAAAGA TCAGATTATG CATCATCAGG CATAGAAGAT ATTGTACTTG AT #ATTGTCAA    900 TTATGATGGC TCAATCTCAA CAACAAGATT TAAGAATAAT AACATAAGCT TT #GATCAACC    960 TTATGCTGCA CTATACCCAT CTGTTGGACC AGGGATATAC TACAAAGGCA AA #ATAATATT   1020 TCTCGGGTAT GGAGGTCTTG AACATCCAAT AAATGAGAAT GTAATCTGCA AC #ACAACTGG   1080 GTGTCCCGGG AAAACACAGA GAGACTGCAA TCAGGCATCT CATAGTCCAT GG #TTTTCAGA   1140 TAGGAGGATG GTCAACTCTA TCATTGTTGT TGACAAAGGC TTAAACTCAA TT #CCAAAATT   1200 GAAGGTATGG ACGATATCTA TGAGACAGAA TTACTGGGGG TCAGAAGGAA GG #TTACTTCT   1260 ACTAGGTAAC AAGATCTATA TATATACAAG ATCCACAAGT TGGCATAGCA AG #TTACAATT   1320 AGGAATAATT GATATTACTG ATTACAGTGA TATAAGGATA AAATGGACAT GG #CATAATGT   1380 GCTATCAAGA CCAGGAAACA ATGAATGTCC ATGGGGACAT TCATGTCCAG AT #GGATGTAT   1440 AACAGGAGTA TATACTGATG CATATCCACT CAATCCCACA GGGAGCATTG TG #TCATCTGT   1500 CATATTAGAT TCACAAAAAT CGAGAGTGAA CCCAGTCATA ACTTACTCAA CA #GCAACCGA   1560 AAGAGTAAAC GAGCTGGCCA TCCGAAACAG AACACTCTCA GCTGGATATA CA #ACAACAAG   1620 CTGCATCACA CACTATAACA AAGGATATTG TTTTCATATA GTAGAAATAA AT #CAGAAAAG   1680 CTTAAACACA CTTCAACCCA TGTTGTTCAA GACAGAGGTT CCAAAAAGCT GC #AGTTAATC   1740 ATAATTAACC GCAATATGCA TTAACCTATC TATAATACAA GTATATGATA AG #TAATCAGC   1800 AATCAGACAA TAGACAAAAG GGAAATATAA AAA        #                   #       1833 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 572 amino  #acids           (B) TYPE: amino acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE:     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: Met Glu Tyr Trp Lys His Thr Asn His Gly Ly #s Asp Ala Gly Asn Glu 1               5    #                10   #                15 Leu Glu Thr Ser Met Ala Thr Asn Gly Asn Ly #s Leu Thr Asn Lys Ile             20       #            25       #            30 Thr Tyr Ile Leu Trp Thr Ile Ile Leu Val Le #u Leu Ser Ile Val Phe         35           #        40           #        45 Ile Ile Val Leu Ile Asn Ser Ile Lys Ser Gl #u Lys Ala His Glu Ser     50               #    55               #    60 Leu Leu Gln Asp Ile Asn Asn Glu Phe Met Gl #u Ile Thr Glu Lys Ile 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Gln Met Ala Ser Asp Asn Thr Asn Asp Leu Il #e Gln Ser Gly Val Asn                 85   #                90   #                95 Thr Arg Leu Leu Thr Ile Gln Ser His Val Gl #n Asn Tyr Ile Pro Ile             100       #           105       #           110 Ser Leu Thr Gln Gln Met Ser Asp Leu Arg Ly #s Phe Ile Ser Glu Ile         115           #       120           #       125 Thr Ile Arg Asn Asp Asn Gln Glu Val Leu Pr #o Gln Arg Ile Thr His     130               #   135               #   140 Asp Val Gly Ile Lys Pro Leu Asn Pro Asp As #p Phe Trp Arg Cys Thr 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Ser Gly Leu Pro Ser Leu Met Lys Thr Pro Ly #s Ile Arg Leu Met Pro                 165   #               170   #               175 Gly Pro Gly Leu Leu Ala Met Pro Thr Thr Va #l Asp Gly Cys Ile Arg             180       #           185       #           190 Thr Pro Ser Leu Val Ile Asn Asp Leu Ile Ty #r Ala Tyr Thr Ser Asn         195           #       200           #       205 Leu Ile Thr Arg Gly Cys Gln Asp Ile Gly Ly #s Ser Tyr Gln Val Leu     210               #   215               #   220 Gln Ile Gly Ile Ile Thr Val Asn Ser Asp Le #u Val Pro Asp Leu Asn 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Pro Arg Ile Ser His Thr Phe Asn Ile Asn As #p Asn Arg Lys Ser Cys                 245   #               250   #               255 Ser Leu Ala Leu Leu Asn Thr Asp Val Tyr Gl #n Leu Cys Ser Thr Pro             260       #           265       #           270 Lys Val Asp Glu Arg Ser Asp Tyr Ala Ser Se #r Gly Ile Glu Asp Ile         275           #       280           #       285 Val Leu Asp Ile Val Asn Tyr Asp Gly Ser Il #e Ser Thr Thr Arg Phe     290               #   295               #   300 Lys Asn Asn Asn Ile Ser Phe Asp Gln Pro Ty #r Ala Ala Leu Tyr Pro 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Ser Val Gly Pro Gly Ile Tyr Tyr Lys Gly Ly #s Ile Ile Phe Leu Gly                 325   #               330   #               335 Tyr Gly Gly Leu Glu His Pro Ile Asn Glu As #n Val Ile Cys Asn Thr             340       #           345       #           350 Thr Gly Cys Pro Gly Lys Thr Gln Arg Asp Cy #s Asn Gln Ala Ser His         355           #       360           #       365 Ser Pro Trp Phe Ser Asp Arg Arg Met Val As #n Ser Ile Ile Val Val     370               #   375               #   380 Asp Lys Gly Leu Asn Ser Ile Pro Lys Leu Ly #s Val Trp Thr Ile Ser 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Met Arg Gln Asn Tyr Trp Gly Ser Glu Gly Ar #g Leu Leu Leu Leu Gly                 405   #               410   #               415 Asn Lys Ile Tyr Ile Tyr Thr Arg Ser Thr Se #r Trp His Ser Lys Leu             420       #           425       #           430 Gln Leu Gly Ile Ile Asp Ile Thr Asp Tyr Se #r Asp Ile Arg Ile Lys         435           #       440           #       445 Trp Thr Trp His Asn Val Leu Ser Arg Pro Gl #y Asn Asn Glu Cys Pro     450               #   455               #   460 Trp Gly His Ser Cys Pro Asp Gly Cys Ile Th #r Gly Val Tyr Thr Asp 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Ala Tyr Pro Leu Asn Pro Thr Gly Ser Ile Va #l Ser Ser Val Ile Leu                 485   #               490   #               495 Asp Ser Gln Lys Ser Arg Val Asn Pro Val Il #e Thr Tyr Ser Thr Ala             500       #           505       #           510 Thr Glu Arg Val Asn Glu Leu Ala Ile Arg As #n Arg Thr Leu Ser Ala         515           #       520           #       525 Gly Tyr Thr Thr Thr Ser Cys Ile Thr His Ty #r Asn Lys Gly Tyr Cys     530               #   535               #   540 Phe His Ile Val Glu Ile Asn Gln Lys Ser Le #u Asn Thr Leu Gln Pro 545                 5 #50                 5 #55                 5 #60 Met Leu Phe Lys Thr Glu Val Pro Lys Ser Cy #s Ser                 565   #               570 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 1886 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5: ATGGAGTTGC CAATCCTCAA AGCAAATGCA ATTACCACAA TCCTCGCTGC AG #TCACATTT     60 TGCTTTGCTT CTAGTCAAAA CATCACTGAA GAATTTTATC AATCAACATG CA #GTGCAGTT    120 AGCAAAGGCT ATCTTAGTGC TCTAAGAACT GGTTGGTATA CTAGTGTTAT AA #CTATAGAA    180 TTAAGTAATA TCAAGGAAAA TAAGTGTAAT GGAACAGATG CTAAGGTAAA AT #TGATGAAA    240 CAAGAATTAG ATAAATATAA AAATGCTGTA ACAGAATTGC AGTTGCTCAT GC #AAAGCACA    300 CCAGCAGCAA ACAATCGAGC CAGAAGAGAA CTACCAAGGT TTATGAATTA TA #CACTCAAC    360 AATACCAAAA AAACCAATGT AACATTAAGC AAGAAAAGGA AAAGAAGATT TC #TTGGTTTT    420 TTGTTAGGTG TTGGATCTGC AATCGCCAGT GGCATTGCTG TATCTAAGGT CC #TGCACTTA    480 GAAGGAGAAG TGAACAAGAT CAAAAGTGCT CTACTATCCA CAAACAAGGC CG #TAGTCAGC    540 TTATCAAATG GAGTTAGTGT CTTAACCAGC AAAGTGTTAG ACCTCAAAAA CT #ATATAGAT    600 AAACAATTGT TACCTATTGT GAATAAGCAA AGCTGCAGAA TATCAAATAT AG #AAACTGTG    660 ATAGAGTTCC AACAAAAGAA CAACAGACTA CTAGAGATTA CCAGGGAATT TA #GTGTTAAT    720 GCAGGTGTAA CTACACCTGT AAGCACTTAC ATGTTAACTA ATAGTGAATT AT #TGTCATTA    780 ATCAATGATA TGCCTATAAC AAATGATCAG AAAAAGTTAA TGTCCAACAA TG #TTCAAATA    840 GTTAGACAGC AAAGTTACTC TATCATGTCC ATAATAAAAG AGGAAGTCTT AG #CATATGTA    900 GTACAATTAC CACTATATGG TGTGATAGAT ACACCTTGTT GGAAATTACA CA #CATCCCCT    960 CTATGTACAA CCAACACAAA AGAAGGGTCA AACATCTGTT TAACAAGAAC TG #ACAGAGGA   1020 TGGTACTGTG ACAATGCAGG ATCAGTATCT TTCTTCCCAC AAGCTGAAAC AT #GTAAAGTT   1080 CAATCGAATC GAGTATTTTG TGACACAATG AACAGTTTAA CATTACCAAG TG #AAGTAAAT   1140 CTCTGCAATG TTGACATATT CAATCCCAAA TATGATTGTA AAATTATGAC TT #CAAAAACA   1200 GATGTAAGCA GCTCCGTTAT CACATCTCTA GGAGCCATTG TGTCATGCTA TG #GCAAAACT   1260 AAATGTACAG CATCCAATAA AAATCGTGGA ATCATAAAGA CATTTTCTAA CG #GGTGTGAT   1320 TATGTATCAA ATAAAGGGGT GGACACTGTG TCTGTAGGTA ACACATTATA TT #ATGTAAAT   1380 AAGCAAGAAG GCAAAAGTCT CTATGTAAAA GGTGAACCAA TAATAAATTT CT #ATGACCCA   1440 TTAGTATTCC CCTCTGATGA ATTTGATGCA TCAATATCTC AAGTCAATGA GA #AGATTAAC   1500 CAGAGTTTAG CATTTATTCG TAAATCCGAT GAATTATTAC ATAATGTAAA TG #CTGGTAAA   1560 TCAACCACAA ATATCATGAT AACTACTATA ATTATAGTGA TTATAGTAAT AT #TGTTATCA   1620 TTAATTGCTG TTGGACTGCT CCTATACTGT AAGGCCAGAA GCACACCAGT CA #CACTAAGC   1680 AAGGATCAAC TGAGTGGTAT AAATAATATT GCATTTAGTA ACTGAATAAA AA #TAGCACCT   1740 AATCATGTTC TTACAATGGT TTACTATCTG CTCATAGACA ACCCATCTAT CA #TTGGATTT   1800 TCTTAAAATC TGAACTTCAT CGAAACTCTT ATCTATAAAC CATCTCACTT AC #ACTATTTA   1860 AGTAGATTCC TAGTTTATAG TTATAT           #                   #            1886 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 594 amino  #acids           (B) TYPE: amino acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE:     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: Met Glu Leu Pro Ile Leu Lys Ala Asn Ala Il #e Thr Thr Ile Leu Ala 1               5    #                10   #                15 Ala Val Thr Phe Cys Phe Ala Ser Ser Gln As #n Ile Thr Glu Glu Phe             20       #            25       #            30 Tyr Gln Ser Thr Cys Ser Ala Val Ser Lys Gl #y Tyr Leu Ser Ala Leu         35           #        40           #        45 Arg Thr Gly Trp Tyr Thr Ser Val Ile Thr Il #e Glu Leu Ser Asn Ile     50               #    55               #    60 Lys Glu Asn Lys Cys Asn Gly Thr Asp Ala Ly #s Val Lys Leu Met Lys 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Gln Glu Leu Asp Lys Tyr Lys Asn Ala Val Th #r Glu Leu Gln Leu Leu                 85   #                90   #                95 Met Gln Ser Thr Pro Ala Ala Asn Asn Arg Al #a Arg Arg Glu Leu Pro             100       #           105       #           110 Arg Phe Met Asn Tyr Thr Leu Asn Asn Thr Ly #s Lys Thr Asn Val Thr         115           #       120           #       125 Leu Ser Lys Lys Arg Lys Arg Arg Phe Leu Gl #y Phe Leu Leu Gly Val     130               #   135               #   140 Gly Ser Ala Ile Ala Ser Gly Ile Ala Val Se #r Lys Val Leu His Leu 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Glu Gly Glu Val Asn Lys Ile Lys Ser Ala Le #u Leu Ser Thr Asn Lys                 165   #               170   #               175 Ala Val Val Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly Val Ser Va #l Leu Thr Ser Lys Val             180       #           185       #           190 Leu Asp Leu Lys Asn Tyr Ile Asp Lys Gln Le #u Leu Pro Ile Val Asn         195           #       200           #       205 Lys Arg Ser Cys Arg Ile Ser Asn Ile Glu Th #r Val Ile Glu Phe Gln     210               #   215               #   220 His Lys Asn Asn Arg Leu Leu Glu Ile Thr Ar #g Glu Phe Ser Val Asn 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Ala Gly Val Thr Thr Pro Val Ser Thr Tyr Me #t Leu Thr Asn Ser Glu                 245   #               250   #               255 Leu Leu Ser Leu Ile Asn Asp Met Pro Ile Th #r Asn Asp Gln Lys Lys             260       #           265       #           270 Leu Met Ser Asn Asn Val Gln Ile Val Arg Gl #n Gln Ser Tyr Ser Ile         275           #       280           #       285 Met Ser Ile Ile Lys Glu Glu Val Leu Ala Ty #r Val Val Gln Leu Pro     290               #   295               #   300 Leu Tyr Gly Val Ile Asp Thr Pro Cys Trp Ly #s Leu His Thr Ser Pro 305                 3 #10                 3 #15                 3 #20 Leu Cys Thr Thr Asn Thr Lys Glu Gly Ser As #n Ile Cys Leu Thr Arg                 325   #               330   #               335 Thr Asp Arg Gly Trp Tyr Cys Asp Asn Ala Gl #y Ser Val Ser Phe Phe             340       #           345       #           350 Pro Gln Ala Glu Thr Cys Lys Val Gln Ser As #n Arg Val Phe Cys Asp         355           #       360           #       365 Thr Met Asn Ser Leu Thr Leu Pro Ser Glu Va #l Asn Leu Cys Asn Val     370               #   375               #   380 Asp Ile Phe Asn Pro Lys Tyr Asp Cys Lys Il #e Met Thr Ser Lys Thr 385                 3 #90                 3 #95                 4 #00 Asp Val Ser Ser Ser Val Ile Thr Ser Leu Gl #y Ala Ile Val Ser Cys                 405   #               410   #               415 Tyr Gly Lys Thr Lys Cys Thr Ala Ser Asn Ly #s Asn Arg Gly Ile Ile             420       #           425       #           430 Lys Thr Phe Ser Asn Gly Cys Asp Tyr Val Se #r Asn Lys Gly Val Asp         435           #       440           #       445 Thr Val Ser Val Gly Asn Thr Leu Tyr Tyr Va #l Asn Lys Gln Glu Gly     450               #   455               #   460 Lys Ser Leu Tyr Val Lys Gly Glu Pro Ile Il #e Asn Phe Tyr Asp Pro 465                 4 #70                 4 #75                 4 #80 Leu Val Phe Pro Ser Asp Glu Phe Asp Ala Se #r Ile Ser Gln Val Asn                 485   #               490   #               495 Glu Lys Ile Asn Leu Val Phe Pro Ser Asp Gl #u Phe Asp Ala Ser Ile             500       #           505       #           510 Ser Gln Val Asn Glu Lys Ile Asn Gln Ser Le #u Ala Phe Ile Arg Lys         515           #       520           #       525 Ser Asp Glu Leu Leu His Asn Val Asn Ala Gl #y Lys Ser Thr Thr Asn     530               #   535               #   540 Ile Met Ile Thr Thr Ile Ile Ile Glu Ile Il #e Val Ile Leu Leu Ser 545                 5 #50                 5 #55                 5 #60 Leu Ile Ala Val Gly Leu Leu Leu Tyr Cys Ly #s Ala Arg Ser Thr Pro                 565   #               570   #               575 Val Thr Leu Ser Lys Asp Gln Leu Ser Gly Il #e Asn Asn Ile Ala Phe             580       #           585       #           590 Ser Asn (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 920 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: TGCAAACATG TCCAAAAACA AGGACCAACG CACCGCTAAG ACACTAGAAA AG #ACCTGGGA     60 CACTCTCAAT CATTTATTAT TCATATCATC GGGCTTATAT AAGTTAAATC TT #AAATCTGT    120 AGCACAAATC ACATTATCCA TTCTGGCAAT GATAATCTCA ACTTCACTTA TA #ATTACAGC    180 CATCATATTC ATAGCCTCGG CAAACCACAA AGTCACACTA ACAACTGCAA TC #ATACAAGA    240 TGCAACAAGC CAGATCAAGA ACACAACCCC AACATACCTC ACTCAGGATC CT #CAGCTTGG    300 AATCAGCTTC TCCAATCTGT CTGAAATTAC ATCACAAACC ACCACCATAC TA #GCTTCAAC    360 AACACCAGGA GTCAAGTCAA ACCTGCAACC CACAACAGTC AAGACTAAAA AC #ACAACAAC    420 AACCCAAACA CAACCCAGCA AGCCCACTAC AAAACAACGC CAAAACAAAC CA #CCAAACAA    480 ACCCAATAAT GATTTTCACT TCGAAGTGTT TAACTTTGTA CCCTGCAGCA TA #TGCAGCAA    540 CAATCCAACC TGCTGGGCTA TCTGCAAAAG AATACCAAAC AAAAAACCAG GA #AAGAAAAC    600 CACCACCAAG CCTACAAAAA AACCAACCTT CAAGACAACC AAAAAAGATC TC #AAACCTCA    660 AACCACTAAA CCAAAGGAAG TACCCACCAC CAAGCCCACA GAAGAGCCAA CC #ATCAACAC    720 CACCAAAACA AACATCACAA CTACACTGCT CACCAACAAC ACCACAGGAA AT #CCAAAACT    780 CACAAGTCAA ATGGAAACCT TCCACTCAAC CTCCTCCGAA GGCAATCTAA GC #CCTTCTCA    840 AGTCTCCACA ACATCCGAGC ACCCATCACA ACCCTCATCT CCACCCAACA CA #ACACGCCA    900 GTAGTTATTA AAAAAAAAAA             #                   #                   #920 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 298 amino  #acids           (B) TYPE: amino acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE:     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8: Met Ser Lys Asn Lys Asp Gln Arg Thr Ala Ly #s Thr Leu Glu Lys Thr 1               5    #                10   #                15 Trp Asp Thr Leu Asn His Leu Leu Phe Ile Se #r Ser Gly Leu Tyr Lys             20       #            25       #            30 Leu Asn Leu Lys Ser Val Ala Gln Ile Thr Le #u Ser Ile Leu Ala Met         35           #        40           #        45 Ile Ile Ser Thr Ser Leu Ile Ile Thr Ala Il #e Ile Phe Ile Ala Ser     50               #    55               #    60 Ala Asn His Lys Val Thr Leu Thr Thr Ala Il #e Ile Gln Asp Ala Thr 65                   #70                   #75                   #80 Ser Gln Ile Lys Asn Thr Thr Pro Thr Tyr Le #u Thr Gln Asp Pro Gln                 85   #                90   #                95 Leu Gly Ile Ser Phe Ser Asn Leu Ser Glu Il #e Thr Ser Gln Thr Thr             100       #           105       #           110 Thr Ile Leu Ala Ser Thr Thr Pro Gly Val Ly #s Ser Asn Leu Gln Pro         115           #       120           #       125 Thr Thr Val Lys Thr Lys Asn Thr Thr Thr Th #r Gln Thr Gln Pro Ser     130               #   135               #   140 Lys Pro Thr Thr Lys Gln Arg Gln Asn Lys Pr #o Pro Asn Lys Pro Asn 145                 1 #50                 1 #55                 1 #60 Asn Asp Phe His Phe Glu Val Phe Asn Phe Va #l Pro Cys Ser Ile Cys                 165   #               170   #               175 Ser Asn Asn Pro Thr Cys Trp Ala Ile Cys Ly #s Arg Ile Pro Asn Lys             180       #           185       #           190 Lys Pro Gly Lys Lys Thr Thr Thr Lys Pro Th #r Lys Lys Pro Thr Phe         195           #       200           #       205 Lys Thr Thr Lys Lys Asp Leu Lys Pro Gln Th #r Thr Lys Pro Lys Glu     210               #   215               #   220 Val Pro Thr Thr Lys Pro Thr Glu Glu Pro Th #r Ile Asn Thr Thr Lys 225                 2 #30                 2 #35                 2 #40 Thr Asn Ile Thr Thr Thr Leu Leu Thr Asn As #n Thr Thr Gly Asn Pro                 245   #               250   #               255 Lys Leu Thr Ser Gln Met Glu Thr Phe His Se #r Thr Ser Ser Glu Gly             260       #           265       #           270 Asn Leu Ser Pro Ser Gln Val Ser Thr Thr Se #r Glu His Pro Ser Gln         275           #       280           #       285 Pro Ser Ser Pro Pro Asn Thr Thr Arg Gln     290               #   295 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 26 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: ATCAATCAAA GGTCCTGTGA TAATAG           #                   #              26 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 17 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10: CATGACTTGA TAATGAG              #                   #                   #   17 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 86 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11: AATTCATGGA GTTGCTAATC CTCAAAGCAA ATGCAATTAC CACAATCCTC AC #TGCAGTCA     60 CATTTTGTTT TGCTTCTGGT TCTAAG           #                   #              86 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 27 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12: ACTGGCATCA ATCTAGCACT ACATGAG           #                   #             27 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 136 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13: AATTCATGCC AACTTTAATA CTGCTAATTA TTACAACAAT GATTATGGCA TC #TTCCTGCC     60 AAATAGATAT CACAAAACTA CAGCATGTAG GTGTATTGGT CAACAGTCCC AA #AGGGATGA    120 AGATATCACA AAACTT              #                   #                   #   136 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 94 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14: ATCATGGAGA TAATTAAAAT GATAACCATC TCGCAAATAA ATAAGTATTT TA #CTGTTTTC     60 GTAACAGTTT TGTAATAAAA AAACCTATAA ATAG        #                   #        94 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 141 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15: ATCATGGAGA TAATTAAAAT GATAACCATC TCGCAAATAA ATAAGTATTT TA #CTGTTTTC     60 GTAACAGTTT TGTAATAAAA AAACCTATAA ATATTCCGGA ATTCAGATCT GC #AGCGGCCG    120 CTCCATCTAG AAGGTACCCG G            #                   #                 141 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:16:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 31 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:16: CATGACTAAT TCCATCAAAA GTGAAAAGGC T         #                   #          31 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:17:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 18 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:17: CAAGAAAAAG GAATAAAA              #                   #                   #  18 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:18:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 39 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:18: ATTTCTGTGA TATTTGTGCG GTATAATGAT GCTATACCT       #                   #    39 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:19:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 18 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:19: CAGGAGAAGG GTATCAAG              #                   #                   #  18 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:20:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 17 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:20: AGGAGAAGGG TATCAAG              #                   #                   #   17 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:21:      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:           (A) LENGTH: 10 base  #pairs           (B) TYPE: nucleic acid           (C) STRANDEDNESS: single           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)     (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:21: AGGACAAAAG                 #                   #                   #        10 

What we claim is:
 1. A multimeric hybrid gene encoding a chimeric protein, said hybrid gene being selected from the group consisting of: (a) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 F protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV G protein; (b) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 F protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV F protein; (c) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 HN protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV G protein; and (d) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 HN protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV F protein.
 2. The hybrid gene of claim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) and F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) hybrid genes.
 3. The hybrid gene of claim 2 contained in an expression vector.
 4. The hybrid gene of claim 3 the form of a plasmid selected from the group consisting of pAC DR7, pD2 RF-HN and pD2 F-G.
 5. The hybrid gene of claim 1 further comprising at least one gene encoding at least one immunogenic and/or immunostimulating molecule.
 6. Eukaryotic cells containing the multimeric hybrid gene of claim 1 for expression of said chimeric protein encoded by said gene.
 7. A process for preparation of a chimeric protein, which comprises: isolating a first nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 F protein or a first nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 HN protein, isolating a second nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV G protein or a second nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV F protein, linking said first and second nucleotide sequences to form a multimeric hybrid gene, said multimeric hybrid gene being selected from the group consisting of: (a) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3F protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV G protein; (b) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 F protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV F protein; (c) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 HN protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV G protein; and (d) a hybrid gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a native PIV-3 HN protein linked to a nucleotide sequence coding for a native RSV F protein; and expressing the multimeric hybrid gene in a eukaryotic cellular expression system.
 8. The process of claim 7 wherein said multimeric hybrid gene is selected from the group consisting of F_(PIV-3)-F_(RSV), F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) and F_(PIV-3)-G_(RSV) hybrid genes.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein said multimeric hybrid gene is contained in an expression vector comprising a plasmid selected from the group consisting of pAC DR7, pD2 RF-HN and pD2 F-G.
 10. The process of claim 7 including separating a chimeric protein from a culture of said eukaryotic cellular expression system and purifying the separated chimeric protein.
 11. The hybrid gene of claim 1 which consists of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) hybrid gene.
 12. The hybrid gene of claim 11 contained in plasmid pD2 RF-NH.
 13. The process of claim 7 wherein said multimeric hybrid gene consists of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) hybrid gene.
 14. The process of claim 13 wherein said multimeric hybrid gene is contained in an expression vector which is plasmid pD2 RF-HN.
 15. A vector for antigen delivery containing the multimeric hybrid gene of claim
 1. 16. The vector of claim 15 which is a viral vector.
 17. The vector of claim 16 wherein said viral vector is selected from poxviral, adenoviral and retroviral viral vectors.
 18. The vector of claim 15 which is a bacterial vector.
 19. The vector of claim 18 wherein said bacterial vector is selected from salmonella and mycobacteria.
 20. The vector of claim 15 wherein the gene consists of the F_(RSV)-HN_(PIV-3) hybrid gene. 